Epilepsy is a sign of the disease. Epilepsy: symptoms in adults

Epilepsy is a serious, progressive disease without proper treatment. It affects the human brain and manifests itself in the form of peculiar seizures, which can be different in their manifestation. The basic principle by which doctors diagnose epilepsy (in addition to laboratory research) Is the frequency in the repetition of seizures. The fact is that such an attack can occur even in a relative healthy person due to overwork, poisoning, severe stress, intoxication, high temperature etc. However, on the basis of a single case of an attack, a diagnosis cannot be made: in this case, it is the regularity and frequency of these pathological phenomena that are important.

A true epileptic seizure develops unexpectedly, it does not arise in connection with overwork, but on its own, unpredictably. The classic case of an epileptic seizure is a situation in which a person falls unconscious and convulses. The seizure is accompanied by the release of foam, redness of the face. However, this is only a common opinion about epilepsy. This type of attack does exist, but it is only one of many options for the manifestation of the disease.

Medicine has described many cases of seizures in which muscles, organs of smell, touch, hearing, vision, taste buds are involved. An attack can look like a complex mental disorder. It can be characterized by complete loss of consciousness, or it can proceed with the patient's full consciousness. In fact, an attack is a peculiar type of brain functioning (detected during diagnosis using an encephalogram).

As a rule, epilepsy develops on the basis of a hereditary predisposition. The brain of such patients is predisposed to a special state of nerve cells (neurons) - they are distinguished by an increased readiness to conduct an impulse. Adults can get sick after suffering a head injury or severe infectious disease... In addition, there is a high risk of developing the disease in old age when the brain is "worn out": especially after strokes and other neurological diseases.

At the same time, it cannot be said with certainty that epilepsy will necessarily begin after any serious head injury. This is completely optional. Sometimes in adults it is very difficult to determine the causes of the disease - in this case, hereditary factors are referred to.

Risk factors:

1. Hereditary factors.
2. Head trauma.
3. Infectious diseases of the brain.
4. Complications due to long-term alcohol use.
5. Brain neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
6. Strokes.
7. Vascular anomalies of the brain.
8. Frequent stress, overwork.
9. Senile age.

Note! Risk factors include strokes, brain infections, and alcohol intoxication.

The mechanism of an attack

The mechanism of occurrence is associated with complex processes brain. Existing risk factors gradually lead to the formation of a group of nerve cells in the brain, characterized by a low level of the excitation threshold. In practice, this means that this group easily gets into a state of excitement, and the most insignificant process may be the trigger. In this case, doctors talk about the formation of an epileptic focus. If a nerve impulse arises in it, then it is always ready to expand to neighboring groups of cells - thus the process of excitation is expanding and embraces new parts of the brain. This is how an attack manifests itself at the biochemical level. At this time, we observe various unexpected manifestations of the patient's activity, the so-called "phenomena": these can be both mental phenomena (short-term mental disorders) and pathologies of the senses and muscles.

If you do not take appropriate drugs aimed at reducing the activity of pathological processes, the number of foci may increase. Permanent connections between foci can be created in the brain, which in practice gives complex, prolonged seizures, covering many different phenomena, new types of seizures can appear. Over time, the disease spreads to healthy parts of the brain.

The type of the phenomenon is associated with the type of neurons affected by the pathology. If the attack covers the cells responsible for motor activity, then during the attack we will see repetitive movements or, on the contrary, freezing of movements. For example, when neurons responsible for vision are included in the pathological process, the patient will see sparks in front of his eyes or complex visual hallucinations. If the neurons responsible for smell are involved, the person with epilepsy will smell unusual but distinct smells. The manifestations of the disease are similar when the neurons responsible for the motor activity of an organ are turned on.

There are some types of the disease, which are characterized by the absence of a focus of excitation due to the pathology of a large number of cells throughout the cerebral cortex. With this type of disease, we see that the arising impulse instantly covers the entire brain: this process is characteristic of the so-called generalized attack, which is known to most due to the brightness of the course.

The frequency of seizures is important for treatment. The problem is that each seizure means some damage to neurons, their death. This leads to impaired brain activity. The more frequent the attacks, the more dangerous the patient is in. Without appropriate treatment, a distortion of character is possible, the emergence of a kind of typical behavior, thinking is disturbed. A person can change towards painful vindictiveness, rancor, a deterioration in the quality of life is observed.

Types of partial seizures

Partial seizure (the type is determined by diagnosis) is less severe. Intensity. There is no danger to life. It is associated with the emergence of a focus of pathology in one of the cerebral hemispheres. The type of attack depends on the manifestations of the disease (the patient's leading sensations, the impact on any system of the body).

A complex attack is characterized by memory loss and a kind of "freeze-frame" in the patient's behavior: a person suffering from a disease can maintain physical activity, while he completely "falls out" of reality: does not respond to calls, freezes in one position (possibly with the repetition of some or movements or any phrases).

Note! There is a type of seizure that can last for a very long time, for several hours. A person does not necessarily have convulsions, but his movements are automatic, there is no consciousness, but the body continues to move, there is no fall.

Such attacks can end in an extensive pathological process, when the whole brain is involved in the process and a complete loss of consciousness and coordination occurs (the patient falls, convulsions are observed). This phenomenon is called secondary generalization. In this case, the phenomena preceding the general seizure associated with any system of the body are called an aura. This is the beginning of a severe attack, which the patient remembers: visual or tactile sensations, sensations in the abdomen, or other type remain in his memory.

The phenomenon of the aura can help patients in preparation for an attack: during its course, he can prepare himself and ensure his safety: lie down on something soft in advance, call for help.

Types of generalized seizures

Such manifestations of the disease are a more dangerous option. Their main features: complete loss of consciousness and coordination, the process covers the entire brain.

In medicine, the so-called status epilepticus is known - a serious condition of a patient when an attack lasts more than half an hour. Another option is when there is a whole series of attacks, the intervals between which are of short duration. In this case, an urgent health care, and possibly resuscitation. Any type of seizure can result in status epilepticus, there are no exceptions.

Epilepsy is a chronic type of disease related to neurological disorders. For this ailment, convulsions are a characteristic manifestation. As a rule, periodicity is characteristic for epileptic seizures, but there are cases when a seizure occurs once due to changes in the brain. Very often, it is not possible to understand the causes of epilepsy, but factors such as alcohol, stroke, and brain trauma can provoke an attack.

Causes of the disease

Today, there is no specific reason why epileptic seizures occur. The presented ailment is not transmitted through the hereditary line, but nevertheless, in some families where this disease is present, the likelihood of its occurrence is high. According to statistics, 40% of people suffering from epilepsy have a relative with this disease.

Epileptic seizures are of several types, the severity of each is different. If a seizure has arisen due to disorders of only one part of the brain, then it is called partial. When the whole brain suffers, the attack is called generalized. There are also mixed types of seizures - at first one part of the brain is affected, and later the process affects it completely.

In about 70% of cases, it is not possible to recognize the factors provoking epilepsy. The causes of epilepsy can be as follows:

• traumatic brain injury;
• stroke;
• brain damage cancerous tumors;
• lack of oxygen and blood supply during birth;
• pathological changes in the structure of the brain;
• meningitis;
• viral diseases;
• brain abscess;
• hereditary predisposition.

What are the reasons for the development of the disease in children?

Epileptic seizures in children are caused by seizures in the mother during pregnancy. They contribute to the formation of the following pathological changes in children inside the womb:

• cerebral internal hemorrhage;
• hypoglycemia in newborns;
• severe form of hypoxia;
• chronic form of epilepsy.

There are the following main causes of epilepsy in children:

• meningitis;
• toxicosis;
• thrombosis;
• hypoxia;
• embolism;
• encephalitis;
• concussion.

What causes epileptic seizures in adults?

The following factors can cause epilepsy in adults:

• brain tissue injuries - bruises, concussion;
• infection in the brain - rabies, tetanus, meningitis, encephalitis, abscesses;
• organic pathologies of the head zone - cyst, tumor;
• taking certain drugs - antibiotics, axioms, antimalarial drugs;
• pathological changes in the blood circulation of the brain - stroke;
• multiple sclerosis;
• congenital brain tissue pathologies;
• antiphospholipid syndrome;
• lead or strychnine poisoning;
• vascular atherosclerosis;
• drug addict;
• a sharp refusal from sedatives and hypnotics, alcoholic beverages.

How to recognize epilepsy?

The symptoms of epilepsy in children and adults depend on what form of seizure is present. Distinguish:

• partial convulsions;
• complex partial;
• tonic-clonic seizures;
• absence.

Partial

The formation of foci of impaired sensory and motor function occurs. This process confirms the location of the focus of the disease with the brain. An attack begins to manifest itself with clonic twitching of a certain part of the body. Most often, seizures begin in the hands, the corners of the mouth, or thumb on the foot. After a few seconds, the attack begins to affect nearby muscles and eventually cover the entire side of the body. Often, convulsions are accompanied by fainting.

Complex partial

This type of seizure belongs to temporal lobe / psychomotor epilepsy. The reason for their formation is the defeat of the vegetative, visceral olfactory centers. When an attack occurs, the patient faints and loses contact with the outside world. As a rule, a person during seizures is in an altered consciousness, to perform actions and deeds that he cannot even give an account of.

Subjective sensations include:

• hallucinations;
• illusions;
• changes in cognitive ability;
• affective disorders(fear, anger, anxiety).

Such an epileptic seizure can be mild and accompanied only with objective recurring symptoms: incomprehensible and incoherent speech, swallowing and smacking.

Tonic-clonic

This type of seizure in children and adults is referred to as generalized. They draw the cerebral cortex into the pathological process. The beginning of the tonic additive is characterized by the fact that a person freezes in place, opening his mouth wide, straightens his legs and bends his arms. After the contraction of the respiratory muscles is formed, the jaws are compressed, resulting in frequent biting of the tongue. With such convulsions, a person may stop breathing and develop cyanosis and hypervolemia. With a tonic seizure, the patient does not control urination, and the duration of this phase will be 15-30 seconds. At the end of this time, the clonic phase begins. It is characterized by a violent rhythmic contraction of the muscles of the body. The duration of such seizures can be 2 minutes, and then the patient's breathing normalizes and a short sleep occurs. After such a "rest" he feels depressed, tired, his thoughts are confused and headache.

Absance

This attack in children and adults is characterized by its short duration. It is characterized by the following manifestations:

• strong pronounced consciousness with minor movement disorders;
• sudden seizure formation and absence of external manifestations;
• twitching of the muscles of the body of the face and trembling of the eyelids.

The duration of such a state can reach 5-10 seconds, while for the patient's relatives it can go unnoticed.

Diagnostic research

The diagnosis of epilepticus can only be made after two weeks of seizures. In addition, a prerequisite is the absence of other diseases that can cause such a condition.

Most often, this ailment affects children and adolescents, as well as the elderly. In middle-aged people, epileptic seizures are extremely rare. If they form, they can be the result of previous injuries or strokes.

In newborn children, this condition can be one-time, and the reason is the temperature rise to critical levels. But the likelihood of the subsequent development of the disease is minimal.
To diagnose epilepsy in a patient, you first need to visit a doctor. He will conduct full examination and will be able to analyze the health problems present. A prerequisite is the study of the medical history of all his relatives. The duties of a doctor when making a diagnosis include the following activities:

• check for symptoms;
• analyze the purity and type of seizures as carefully as possible.

In order to clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to apply electroencephalography (analysis of brain activity), MRI and computed tomography.

First aid

If a patient suddenly has an epileptic seizure, then he urgently needs to provide emergency first aid. It includes the following activities:

1. Ensuring airway patency.
2. Oxygen breathing.
3. Aspiration warnings.
4. Support blood pressure at a constant level.

When a quick inspection has been carried out, then it is necessary to establish the presumptive cause of the formation of this condition. For this, anamnesis is collected from the relatives and friends of the victim. The doctor must carefully analyze all the signs that are observed in the patient. Sometimes such attacks serve as a symptom of infection and stroke. To eliminate the formed seizures, the following drugs are used:

1. Diazepam is an effective drug that works to eliminate epileptic seizures... But such a medication often contributes to respiratory arrest, especially with the joint influence of barbiturates. For this reason, caution must be exercised when taking it. The action of Diazepam is aimed at stopping the attack, but not at preventing their occurrence.
2. Phenytoin - second effective drug to eliminate the symptoms of epilepsy. Many doctors prescribe it instead of Diazepam, as it does not interfere with respiratory function and can prevent seizure recurrence. If the drug is administered very quickly, it can cause arterial hypotension. Therefore, the rate of administration should not be higher than 50 mg / min. During the infusion, you need to monitor blood pressure at all times and ECG indicators... Extremely careful injecting funds is necessary for people suffering from heart disease. The use of Phenytoin is contraindicated in people who have been diagnosed with a dysfunction of the cardiac conduction system.

If there is no effect of using the presented drugs, then doctors prescribe Phenobarbital or Paraldehyde.

If an epileptic seizure cannot be stopped within a short time, the cause is most likely a metabolic disorder or structural damage. When such a condition has not been previously observed in a patient, then the probable causes of its formation can be a stroke, trauma or tumor. In those patients who have previously been diagnosed with this, recurrent seizures occur due to intercurrent infection or refusal of anticonvulsants.

Effective therapy

Therapeutic measures to eliminate all manifestations of epilepsy can be carried out in neurological or psychiatric hospitals... When seizures of epilepsy lead to uncontrollable behavior of a person, as a result of which he becomes completely insane, then treatment is forced.

Drug therapy

As a rule, the treatment of this ailment is carried out with the help of special drugs. If there are partial seizures in adults, then they are prescribed carbamazepine and phenytoin. When tonic-clonic seizures it is advisable to use such medicines:

• Valproic acid;
• Phenytoin;
• Carbamazepine;
• Phenobarbital.

Drugs such as ethosuximide and valproic acid are prescribed to patients for the treatment of absans. Clonazepam and valproic acid are used for people with myoclonic seizures.

For cupping pathological condition in children, drugs such as ethosuximide and acetazolamide are used. But they are actively used in the treatment of the adult population suffering from absences since childhood.

Applying the described medicines, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Blood tests should be done regularly for patients taking anticonvulsants.
2. Treatment with valproic acid is accompanied by monitoring the state of the liver.
3. Patients must at all times comply with established driving restrictions.
4. Anticonvulsant medication should not be interrupted abruptly. Their cancellation is carried out gradually, over several weeks.

If a drug therapy had no effect, then they resort to non-drug treatment, which includes electrical stimulation vagus nerve, traditional medicine and surgery.

Surgery

Surgical intervention involves the removal of that part of the brain where the epileptogenic focus is concentrated. The main indicators for such therapy are frequent seizures that do not respond to drug treatment.

In addition, it is advisable to carry out the operation only when there is a high percentage of guaranteed improvement in the patient's condition. The potential harm from surgical treatment will not be as significant as the harm from epilepsy seizures. A prerequisite for surgical intervention- this is an accurate definition of the localization of the lesion.

Vagus nerve stimulation

This type of therapy is very popular in cases of ineffectiveness. drug treatment and unjustified surgical intervention... This manipulation is based on moderate stimulation of the vagus nerve with electrical impulses. This is provided by the action of an electrical pulse generator, which is sutured under the skin in the upper part. chest left. The duration of wearing this device is 3-5 years.

It is allowed to stimulate the vagus nerve in patients over 16 years old who have focal epileptic seizures that are not amenable to drug therapy... According to statistics, about 1 40-50% of people during such a manipulation improve general state and the frequency of seizures decreases.

ethnoscience

Apply funds traditional medicine it is advisable only in combination with the main therapy. Today, such drugs are available in a wide range. Infusions and decoctions based on medicinal herbs... The most effective are:

1. Take 2 large spoons of finely chopped motherwort herb and add ½ liter of boiling water. Wait 2 hours for the drink to tune, strain and consume before meals 4 times a day, 30 ml each.
2. Place a large boat of medicinal blackroot roots in a container and add 1.5 cups of boiling water to it. Place a saucepan over low heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Take a ready-made broth half an hour before meals, a tablespoon 3 times a day.

Joseph Addison

With help physical exercise and abstinence most of people can do without medicine.

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What is it: epilepsy is mental nervous disease, which is characterized by recurrent seizures and is accompanied by various paraclinical and clinical symptoms.

Moreover, in the period between attacks, the patient can be absolutely normal, no different from other people. It is important to note that a single seizure is not yet epilepsy. A person is diagnosed only when there have been at least two seizures.

The disease is known from ancient literature, it is mentioned by Egyptian priests (about 5000 BC), Hippocrates, doctors of Tibetan medicine, etc. In the CIS, epilepsy is called "epilepsy", or simply "epilepsy".

The first signs of epilepsy can appear between the ages of 5 and 14 and are progressive. At the beginning of development, a person may experience mild seizures at intervals of up to 1 year or more, but over time the frequency of seizures increases and in most cases reaches several times a month, their nature and severity also change over time.

The reasons

What it is? The reasons for the occurrence of epileptic activity in the brain, unfortunately, are not yet clear enough, but are presumably related to the structure of the brain cell membrane, as well as the chemical characteristics of these cells.

Epilepsy is classified due to the onset of idiopathic (in the presence of a hereditary predisposition and the absence of structural changes in the brain), symptomatic (if a structural defect in the brain is detected, for example, cysts, tumors, hemorrhage, malformations) and cryptogenic (if it is not possible to identify the cause of the disease ).

According to WHO data, around 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy, which is one of the most common neurological diseases on a global scale.

Epilepsy symptoms

With epilepsy, all symptoms occur spontaneously, less often provoked by bright flashing light, loud sound or fever (an increase in body temperature above 38C, accompanied by chills, headache and general weakness).

1. Manifestations generalized seizure consist in general tonic-clonic seizures, although there can be only tonic or only clonic seizures. The patient falls during a seizure and often receives significant injuries, very often he bites his tongue or passes urine. The seizure generally ends in an epileptic coma, but there is also epileptic agitation, accompanied by a twilight clouding of consciousness.
2. Partial seizures arise when a focus of excess electrical excitability is formed in a specific area of ​​the cerebral cortex. The manifestations of a partial attack depend on the location of such a focus - they can be motor, sensitive, autonomic and mental. 80% of all epileptic seizures in adults and 60% of seizures in children are partial.
3. Tonic-clonic seizures... These are generalized seizures that involve the cerebral cortex in the pathological process. The seizure begins with the patient freezing in place. Further, the respiratory muscles contract, the jaws contract (the tongue may bite). In this case, breathing can be with cyanosis and hypervolemia. The patient loses the ability to control urination. The duration of the tonic phase is approximately 15-30 seconds, after which the clonic phase begins, in which a rhythmic contraction of all muscles of the body occurs.
4. Absances are attacks of sudden blackouts for very a short time... A person during a typical absence suddenly, for absolutely no apparent reason, both for himself and others, ceases to react to external irritating factors and completely freezes. He does not speak, does not move his eyes, limbs and torso. Such an attack lasts a maximum of several seconds, after which it also suddenly continues its actions, as if nothing had happened. The seizure remains completely unnoticed by the patient himself.

When mild form ailment, seizures are rare and have the same character, in severe form they are daily, occur 4-10 times in a row (status epilepticus) and have a different character. Also, patients have personality changes: flattery and softness alternate with malice and pettiness. Many have mental retardation.

First aid

Usually, an epileptic seizure begins with the fact that a person has seizures, then he ceases to control his actions, in some cases he loses consciousness. Once you are near, you should immediately call " ambulance”, Remove all stabbing, cutting, heavy objects from the patient, try to put him on his back, throwing his head back.

If vomiting is present, it should be seated, slightly supporting its head. This will avoid the entry of vomit into Airways... After improving the patient's condition, you can drink a little water.

Interictal manifestations of epilepsy

Everyone knows such manifestations of epilepsy as epileptic seizures. But, as it turned out, increased electrical activity and convulsive readiness of the brain do not leave sufferers even in the period between attacks, when, it would seem, there are no signs of the disease. Epilepsy is dangerous by the development of epileptic encephalopathy - in this condition, mood worsens, anxiety appears, the level of attention, memory and cognitive functions decreases.

Especially relevant this problem in children, because can lead to developmental delays and interfere with the formation of skills in speech, reading, writing, counting, etc. Also, improper electrical activity between attacks can contribute to the development of serious diseases such as autism, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Living with epilepsy

Contrary to popular belief that a person with epilepsy will have to limit himself in many ways, that many roads are closed in front of him, life with epilepsy is not so strict. The patient himself, his relatives and those around him need to remember that in most cases they do not even need a disability registration.

The key to a full life without restrictions is the regular, uninterrupted intake of drugs selected by the doctor. The drug-protected brain becomes less susceptible to provocative influences. Therefore, the patient can lead an active lifestyle, work (including at the computer), exercise, watch TV, fly on airplanes and much more.

But there are a number of activities that are essentially a "red rag" for the brain of a patient with epilepsy. Such actions should be limited to:

• car driving;
• work with automated mechanisms;
• swimming in open waters, swimming in a pool without supervision;
• self-canceling or skipping pills.

And there are also factors that can cause an epileptic seizure even in a healthy person, and they should also be feared:

• lack of sleep, work in night shifts, daily work schedule.
• chronic use or abuse of alcohol and drugs

Epilepsy in children

It is difficult to establish the true number of patients with epilepsy, since many patients do not know about their disease or hide it. In the United States, according to recent studies, at least 4 million people suffer from epilepsy, and its prevalence reaches 15–20 cases per 1000 people.

Epilepsy in children often occurs when the temperature rises - in about 50 out of 1000 children. In other countries, these rates are probably about the same, since the incidence does not depend on gender, race, socioeconomic status or place of residence. The disease rarely leads to death or gross disruption of the physical condition or mental abilities of the patient.

Epilepsy is classified according to its origin and type of seizure. By origin, there are two main types:

• idiopathic epilepsy, in which the cause cannot be identified;
• symptomatic epilepsy associated with certain organic brain damage.

Idiopathic epilepsy occurs in about 50–75% of cases.

Epilepsy in adults

Epileptic seizures that appear after twenty years, as a rule, have a symptomatic form. The following factors can be the causes of epilepsy:

• head trauma;
• tumors;
• aneurysm;
• brain abscess;
• , encephalitis, or inflammatory granulomas.

The symptoms of epilepsy in adults are manifested in different forms seizures. When the epileptic focus is located in well-defined areas of the brain (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital epilepsy), seizures of this kind are called focal or partial. A pathological change in the bioelectrical activity of the whole brain provokes generalized seizures of epilepsy.

Diagnostics

Based on descriptions of seizures by people who observed them. In addition to interviewing parents, the doctor carefully examines the child and prescribes additional examinations:

1. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain: allows you to exclude other causes of epilepsy;
2. EEG (electroencephalography): special sensors placed on the head allow you to record epileptic activity in different parts of the brain.

Epilepsy is it cured

Anyone suffering from epilepsy is tormented by a similar question. The modern level in achieving positive results in the treatment and prevention of ailment, it can be argued that there is real opportunity save patients from epilepsy.

Forecast

In most cases, after a single attack, the prognosis is good. In about 70% of patients with treatment, remission occurs, that is, seizures are absent for 5 years. In 20-30%, seizures continue, in such cases, the simultaneous administration of several anticonvulsants is often required.

Epilepsy treatment

The goal of treatment is to stop epileptic seizures with minimal side effects and managing the patient in such a way that his life is as full and productive as possible.

Before prescribing antiepileptic drugs, the doctor must conduct a detailed examination of the patient - clinical and electroencephalographic, supplemented by an ECG analysis, kidney and liver function, blood, urine, CT or MRI data.

The patient and his family should receive instructions on how to take the drug and be informed about both the really achievable results of treatment and about possible side effects.

Treatment principles for epilepsy:

1. Correspondence of the drug to the type of seizures and epilepsy (each drug has a certain selectivity in relation to one or another type of seizures and epilepsy);
2. If possible, use monotherapy (use of one antiepileptic drug).

Antiepileptic drugs are chosen depending on the form of epilepsy and the nature of the seizures. The drug is usually prescribed in a small initial dose with a gradual increase until the optimal clinical effect appears. If the drug is ineffective, it is gradually canceled and the next one is prescribed. Remember that under no circumstances should you change the dosage of the medication yourself or stop the treatment. A sudden change in dose can provoke a worsening of the condition and an increase in the frequency of attacks.

Medication is combined with diet, work and rest. For patients with epilepsy, a diet with a limited amount of coffee, hot spices, alcohol, salty and spicy foods is recommended.

Medication methods

1. Anticonvulsants, another name for anticonvulsants, reduce the frequency, duration, and in some cases completely prevent seizures.
2. Neurotrophic drugs - can inhibit or stimulate the transmission of nervous excitement in various departments (central) nervous system.
3. Psychoactive substances and psychotropic drugs affect the functioning of the central nervous system, leading to a change in the mental state.
4. Racetams are a promising subclass of psychoactive nootropic substances.

Non-drug methods

1. Surgery;
2. Voight's method;
3. Osteopathic treatment;
4. Ketogenic diet;
5. Study of the influence of external stimuli affecting the frequency of attacks, and the weakening of their influence. For example, the frequency of seizures may be influenced by the daily routine, or it may be possible to individually establish a connection, for example, when wine is consumed, and then it is washed down with coffee, but this is all individual for each organism of a patient with epilepsy;

Epilepsy is a serious illness that affects the brain. Its development is evidenced, which in their manifestations can differ significantly.

Relatives of the patient should know the main signs of seizures, and also be able to, if necessary.

Let's see what an epileptic seizure looks like, whether it has characteristic symptoms and signs, how long does it usually last?

The main symptom of epilepsy is seizures. They can last for several seconds, sometimes minutes, and occur with a certain frequency.

They are divided into:

• rare- appearing once a month or less;
• middle frequency- 2-4 times during the same period;
• frequent- more often 4 times in the same period of time.

During a seizure, convulsions begin, and loss of consciousness is possible. Muscle contractions lead to the fact that a person falls, drops objects that he previously held in his hands.

They can only cover the shoulder girdle and arms, but sometimes they affect the muscles of the legs or the whole body.

How does an epileptic seizure occur?

How does an epilepsy attack begin, what are the harbingers epileptic seizure?

During an attack, there are several successive stages:

1. Harbingers epileptic seizure - assert themselves a few hours or days before the seizure.

   The harbingers of epilepsy can be headache, decreased performance, deterioration of mood, irritability.

2. Aura- the epileptic still does not lose consciousness. The appearance of hallucinations, which are often frightening in nature, is possible. Auditory deceptions can occur in patients, and they often smell odors that are unpleasant to them.
3. Tonic phase- Consciousness disappears, the muscles are very tense, but cramps are still absent. The epileptic falls, usually biting his tongue, emitting a characteristic cry as the respiratory muscles tense convulsively.

   Breathing stops, the skin turns pale, then turns blue. Is happening involuntary defecation and urination. Pupils do not respond to light. This phase lasts about a minute.

4. Clonic phase- convulsions occur, breathing is restored. Foam comes out of the mouth, containing impurities of blood. This period lasts 2-3 minutes.
5. Coma- occurs after the cessation of seizures.
6. Deep dream- completes to whom. After waking up, the patient does not remember anything.

First aid

The person who is next to the epileptic during the seizure should definitely help him:

If the patient's relatives are familiar with the main symptoms of epileptic seizures, know how to provide timely assistance, avoid dangerous consequences it will be easy.

It is necessary to be attentive to the epileptic, not to leave him alone when the precursors have already appeared. It could save his life.

How to help a person with an epileptic seizure:

From what happens and how an attack manifests itself, what signs of epilepsy in adults are most often observed, in addition to the characteristic sinking of the tongue and convulsions, not everyone knows. Chronic neurological brain disorder or epilepsy in adults and children affects more than 50 million people worldwide. In 10% of people, single seizures are possible that do not provoke further development diseases. In other cases, the primary symptoms and timely treatment guarantee a complete recovery of the patient in 70% of cases of epilepsy in adults, adolescents and children. It is not amenable to prevention and starts suddenly.

Why does epilepsy occur?

The predisposition of the body to a neurological disorder and provoking acquired factors contribute to the appearance of even a single case of an epileptic seizure. In most cases, the causes of epilepsy are not fully understood. The main source is considered to be heredity and congenital pathologies of the development of the central nervous system, which may not be detected immediately.

Injuries to the head and skull with a violation of the integrity of the bones, followed by hemorrhage or oxygen deprivation. Past infections and diseases, the consequences of which are associated with the work of the brain, tumors and abscesses. Improper circulation and vascular disease, arterial hypertension, complications after stroke and heart attack can also provoke epileptic seizures.
People who are addicted to alcohol and drugs with hepatic and renal failure, low levels of calcium and glucose in the blood, persons with carbon monoxide poisoning or toxins.

Uncontrolled use of contraceptives and some dangerous medicines, sexually transmitted infections and even toxicosis during pregnancy can cause epilepsy. The lack of adequate sleep affects the nerve cells, stressful situations and fatigue.

Epilepsy diagnosis

Periodically occurring hyperactivity of nerve cells that send electrical discharges, impulses to the parts of the brain responsible for mental processes, motor function, the work of internal and sensory organs, and there is a reason for an epileptic seizure in an adult.
The modern classification offers more than 40 types of the disease. Depending on its course, prognosis and development, localization and distribution of electrical impulses, it is customary to consider several main forms of epilepsy:

1. focal, focal, partial. Due to localization. Temporal, occipital, frontal and parietal;
2. generalized idiopathic and symptomatic. It spreads in the cerebral cortex, captures both hemispheres.

It is useful to know: Brain meningioma, what is the prognosis of life

Idiopathic, constitutional. Meet the most common clinical features and appear in accordance with the etiology and parameters neurological disorder... Passed genetically from one generation to the next. There is no structural damage to the brain.

Organic or symptomatic forms are characterized by metabolic disorders and pathologies, brain damage. Observed most often after toxic alcohol poisoning, drugs or traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic epilepsy, in the presence of a tumor and cyst.

Cryptogenic forms account for more than 70% of all cases. It is impossible to determine the provoking factor of an epileptic seizure.
Depending on the source, epilepsy is primary, congenital, acquired earlier, secondary, as a result of brain damage, and reflex. The latter type occurs under the influence of certain external stimuli, which may be too bright light or loud noise, a sharp unpleasant odor.

The time of day when the alleged seizure begins also matters. Nocturnal epilepsy appears during sleep, symptoms of brain activity in adults are characterized by involuntary urination, biting the tongue.

Signs of an epileptic seizure

In the daily life of a person suffering from a chronic ailment, it is impossible to find out without obvious manifestations of a neurological nature. And only the symptoms of epilepsy in adults, expressed by convulsions, are the confirmation of the diagnosis for others. But there are also so-called auras, preceding signs of an epileptic seizure, depending on the area of ​​the brain damage:

• temporoparietal. There are mental deviations of the type of dementia and the expression of emotions inappropriate to the situation;
• temporal. Smell disorders, false taste sensations;
• parietal. It is rare. Provokes an illusory perception of the absence or incorrect position of the limbs;
• occipital. Optical illusion with bright pictures, multi-colored flashes of light or complete darkness in front of the eyes;
• frontal. Head turns, eye rolling.

A patient with epilepsy develops motor dysfunction, which provokes poorly coordinated movements, speech becomes slurred, and auditory hallucinations occur. The deterioration of the condition is accompanied by vegetative complications: suffocation, tachycardia, pale skin tone, vomiting, limbs go numb.

Focal, partial seizures

For the beginning of the pathological process, a convulsive focus of certain structures of the brain is sufficient. Signs and symptoms will appear depending on the location of the affected epileptic area. The patient can be conscious in the case of a simple seizure and unconscious in its complex course. Partial, focal seizures of epilepsy are of several types.

Locomotor, motor. Weakness and cramps in muscles, limbs, larynx contraction. It is accompanied by unnatural head turns, eye activity, screams.

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Sensory, sensitive. Feeling of an electric discharge passing through the body, burning and tingling, numbness of the limbs. Asterisks and sparks, flashes before the eyes, ringing, tinnitus.

Vegetative-visceral. Redness of the face, profuse salivation, thirst. There may be a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen and a lump coming up to the throat.

Mental. Personality change, increased sweating, emotional instability. In an adult, there is a temporary loss of memory, which, after a few seconds, returns. Accompanied by hallucinations, delusions, loss of spatial boundaries.

Generalized seizure

The aura, or the state that manifests itself before an epileptic seizure, lasts a couple of seconds, after which the patient falls unconscious. The generalized form of epilepsy lasts up to 2-3 minutes, of which about 20 seconds are given to the onset of convulsions. During an attack, a person has characteristic symptoms such as hoarse, rapid breathing, foam at the mouth, swollen veins in the neck, jaws tightly clenched. This form of neurological disease is accompanied by minor, absences, and tonic-clonic seizures.

Typical, simple, and atypical absences. Loss of consciousness up to 10 seconds with twitching of the eyelids, inflating nasal wings, active gestures and urine output.

Myoclinic seizures. Come and stop suddenly. They cause muscle contraction, motor reflexes of the head and arms appear, and the shoulders are involved.

Tonic seizures. Limb movements stop within 1 minute. Increased muscle tone and spasms.

Clonic seizures. Prolonged lack of consciousness, foam from the mouth, convulsions, redness of the skin.

Tonic-clonic seizures. A complex form of epilepsy, in which clonic signs are repeated for several minutes, the victim experiences temporary memory loss.

Atonic disorders. Short-term loss of control over a particular muscle group: head falling to one side, paralysis of the limbs.

Diagnostics

Medical attention should be provided for epilepsy immediately, but in order to diagnose and begin treatment, a thorough examination of the presence of structural brain abnormalities is required. The diagnosis of epilepsy is prescribed by the treating neurologist, in the case of a single pronounced seizure, an epileptologist proposes to undergo an examination.

Electroencephalography allows you to assess the activity of the brain and the power of electrical impulses generated by it in different parts of the cortex, to identify the causes of sleep disturbances, loss of consciousness, memory impairment and fainting.

MRI. Gives a visual representation of injuries, tumors and hemorrhages, the vascular bed and the state of the nervous system. The procedure helps to find neurodegenerative processes and hormonal disorders that provoke structural changes and brain abnormalities.
Positron emission tomography, PET. Examines the anatomy and functional activity of the brain tissue, determines the correspondence of glucose metabolism, metabolic processes to the norm, gives information about the level of oxygen and cells, neoplasms and abscesses.

Epilepsy treatment

To return to the sick full life without fear of waiting for the next repeated epileptic seizure, experts decide how to treat epilepsy in adults, depending on the form of neurological disorder previously established in the process of diagnosis.

Drugs are used to treat a single established case of epilepsy or with unexplained symptoms. While taking medications, patients are advised to adhere to a sleep and wakefulness regimen, the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, light pulses and irritating factors should be avoided.

"Carbamazepine". It stabilizes the membranes of neurons, increases the seizure threshold, corrects personality changes during focal seizures, simple and complex seizures. The daily dosage is up to 200 mg 2 times.

"Trileptal". It is used for monotherapy of generalized tonic-clonic, complex partial epileptic seizures with and without loss of consciousness. Reduces the activity of impulse transmission, blocks the excitability of neurons. The recommended dose per day is 600 mg 2 times.

Valparin. Prevents the onset of epilepsy of any form, eliminates behavioral and mental disorders that occur during an attack relieves seizures and nervous tic... Reduces the excitability of the motor areas of the brain. The amount of the drug per day is 10-30 mg per 1 kg of body weight of an adult.

Surgical treatment of epilepsy

Unfortunately, drug therapy is not able to help the patient in all cases. Recurrent seizures that last more than 30 minutes do not diminish with antiepileptic drugs, include surgical treatment epilepsy in adults using modern microsurgical technologies.

Focal resection. The disease-provoking factor, such as focal lesion of the cerebral cortex by atrophy, cyst or tumor, is removed. In 65% of people, after the intervention, the frequency and duration of the attack decreases, and the patient's complete recovery is a success.

Lobectomy, resection is used if the lesion is located in the temporal lobe of the brain. Complete recovery occurs in 70% of patients with epilepsy. Effects surgical removal: short-term memory loss, decrease in the field of vision.

With clonic-tonic and atonic seizures, the impossibility of removing the affected area of ​​the brain, callosotomy is performed. Provides full or partial dissection of the transmitting nerve impulse between the hemispheres of the corpus callosum. A positive result is considered to be a decrease in epileptic manifestations.